Aged-care nurses in Australia have been told they will get a fifth increase to award wages this year as the final stage of a Fair Work Commission decision. The government said yesterday the increase in annual pay packets, from August 1, would mean registered nurses in the sector on the most common pay level had seen their annual salary increase by more than $36,000. An enrolled nurse on the most common level and pay point will have seen their wage increase by almost $32,000 per year.
Aged care minister Sam Rae said: “Better pay for nurses means better care for older Australians – our record boost to wages is making it easier for aged care homes to attract and retain nurses, ensuring older people can access higher-quality, more consistent care.”
Earlier, AAP reported the pay increases came after it had obtained internal departmental documents showing Australia “would need an extra 35,000 aged-care workers this financial year as the population aged and more people required support.”
Meanwhile, petrol prices are set to rise as the government’s 16-cent fuel excise discount ends at midnight. The 32-cent per litre reduction, introduced in March at the peak of the fuel price spike, was halved to 16 cents in July. The excise will return to its normal level on 3 August, adding 16 cents per litre to the wholesale prices paid by service stations. Energy minister Chris Bowen told reporters on Saturday the government would not extend the temporary cost-of-living relief. He said: “Obviously we always monitor the situation and take steps as necessary, but our policy decision is clear.”
In other news, Australia is suspected to have experienced its first mass mortality event from the deadly strain of bird flu after more than 80 dead and sick birds were spotted off the coast of South Australia. Meanwhile, Jamaica has upset Australia at the Commonwealth Games after defeating the defending netball champions to reach the finals.